Power Rangers Director Explains Why It Took So Long For The Rangers To Morph

The Power Rangers reboot divided fans right down the middle, specifically in its approach to morphing, but then that was kind of the point.

In the film, morphing isn't handled like in previous incarnations of the franchise. A Ranger typically interacts with the morphing grid by using a morpher, a device that can call upon the power of the grid and transform the wearer into their Ranger form. In the reboot, though that process is organic, and director Dean Israelite always wanted it that way (via Power Rangers NOW).

“This is what got me interested in the movie – this is a Power Rangers movie where the Power Rangers can’t morph," Israelite said. And I thought that was a very clever way in. Because you’re expecting, in the conventional trope of a superhero movie that they become superheroes, and get their armor, and sure they’ll have to train and figure it out, but that they get those tools.”

Some fans were fine with that approach, though there was pushback as to how long it took the Rangers to actually transform. Again, that was sort of part of the plan.

“What I thought was potentially so clever was this idea that getting your armor was a metaphor," Israelite explained. "And you had to delay them getting their armor until they had earned it for that metaphor to make any sense.”

As writer John Gatkins reveals, that decision was always going to ruffle some feathers. “This story construct…definitely it was a bold decision to have it be based on the idea that they can’t morph, because I think nobody expected that," Gatkins said.

A common complaint of the film is that it took too long for the Rangers to assume their powers and abilities. Ironically one of the most well-received aspects of the film is the interaction between the Rangers leading up to that moment, so in this case, it seems Israelite and Gatkins succeeded in their mission.

If there is a sequel though, you can likely expect more time in the actual suits.

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